Hyperglycemia is high blood sugar and can be a serious health condition in people who suffer from diabetes. Several factors can contribute to hyperglycemia, including missed medications, low physical activity and poor nutrition. The side effects of hyperglycemia can include dry mouth or excessive thirst, increased urination and fatigue. Medications, regular exercise and appropriate food choices usually can help manage hyperglycemia. Therefore, it's critical to know what foods to avoid. Always discuss your concerns with your health care provider.
High Fat Foods
People with diabetes and hyperglycemia should not eat foods that are high in saturated fats. The American Diabetes Association notes that foods high in saturated fats, including fatty meats and cheeses, increase the levels of blood cholesterol, which in turn increases the risk of heart disease. Complications of diabetes and hyperglycemia include an increased risk of developing heart disease; therefore a diabetic who eats fatty foods doubles her chances of heart disease that could result in a heart attack or stroke. A diabetic diet should focus on protein sources that are low in saturated fats, for example, lean meats, fish and dried beans.
High Sugar Foods
The types of foods that directly contribute to hyperglycemia are ones that contain carbohydrates, which consist of simple sugars, such as glucose and sucrose, as well as complex carbohydrates, such as fiber and starch. Management and awareness of carbohydrate intake is the one of the best ways to control hyperglycemia. The more carbohydrates a diet consists of, the higher the blood sugar will be. Additionally, foods that are richer in simple sugars, meaning highly sweetened foods, will raise blood sugar much faster; that's because the body does not have to break them down as it would for complex carbohydrates.
But the news isn't all bad. The American Diabetes Association notes that nearly all foods can be eaten when managing diabetes and hyperglycemia, however the organization emphasizes that it is dependent upon the ingredients and the appropriate portion sizes. You do not have to eliminate foods that contain a lot of sugar, but you should eat them only under the consideration of the other foods in your diet. For instance, if you want to eat a piece of cake, reduce your intake of other complex carbohydrates to balance the total amount of carbohydrates you consume.
Alcohol
While heavy alcohol consumption is not recommended for anyone, it should be avoided for someone with diabetes and hyperglycemia. While alcohol consumption does not directly raise blood sugars, the side effects may indirectly alter them. Drinking also causes a loss of inhibition, which can result in neglecting proper nutritional management. Ultimately this could cause someone to eat the types of foods, or perhaps more food, than normal. Additionally, some alcoholic drinks contain a lot of sugar, for example, a margarita. Downing two or three of these drinks could significantly raise blood sugar levels.
